Chapter 29- August 26-27, 2011
Hoshimi glanced up as she heard some humming. She was just finishing up the final touches on dinner. Kaname came walking in humming. "Good afternoon." Hoshimi smiled.
"Hello my dear Hoshimi." Kaname chuckled. "And how are you?"
"I'm doing fine" Hoshimi went back to chopping the parsley to use as a garnish. "Just finishing up dinner."
"Well I wanted to invite you somewhere." Kaname leaned in closer.
Hoshimi flushed and glanced down. "I'm kind of busy."
"Oh it's not for today. Tomorrow night, my coworkers and I are taking part in a festival and I thought it might be fun for you to come." He pulled out a flyer and held it out to her.
Hoshimi took it and looked down. "Club Budda." She read. "So it's a festival? What kind?"
"Just your ordinary wander around and have fun festival. They have lots of booths for fun things you can plan or win. I bet the twins would have a lot of fun as well."
"Maybe…."
"A festival?" Shin asked popping up out of nowhere with his sister.
"When?" Mai asked trying to take the flyer.
"Tomorrow night." Kaname chuckled. "You wanna go?" Kaname reached down to ruffle Mai's hair.
She swatted his hand away. "Can we mom? It looks fun! And it says there's going to be a free concert there."
"Well…" Hoshimi hesitated.
"PLEASE!" The twins said together.
"Alright." Hoshimi sighed. "I can't say no to you two I guess."
"YAY!" They cheered together.
And so the next day they arrived at the festival. Hoshimi glanced around as they walked into the festival's entrance.
"I wonder if this will be the same as last year?" Ema asked from next to her. Just like Hoshimi and the twins Ema wore a kimono. Behind Ema was Subaru, Midori, Yusuke, Tsubaki, and Azusa.
"Well we already know it will be different because Fuuto won't be performing this year."
"Oh that's right, I remember you mentioning that last time." Yusuke nodded. "Come on, let's go see if they have any fun games." He started to walk.
"LET'S GO!" The twins yelled and the two together went running forward.
"Wait!" Hoshimi sighed.
"Don't worry, they'll be fine. We'll go take care of them if we need to." Azusa said and then went walking after the twins. "Just have some fun, don't forget you're still recovering."
Hoshimi sighed. Yeah she was still recovering but that didn't mean she could just let the twins run around… What if…
"Don't worry, they'll be fine." Wataru poked his head out from behind a booth. "I'll go get them!"
Midori watched as the group split up. Hoshimi following the kids, aimed towards the games. Ema and Subaru threaded their hands together as they went off. That left her with Yusuke, Tsubaki and Azusa. "So… any suggestions?"
"They have a bunch of games over there." Tsubaki pointed. "Or we can just go for a walk the two of us!" Tsubaki grinned.
"You mean the three of us." Azusa said.
"Four of us." Yusuke pouted.
"I'm going to leave you three behind." Midori pouted and then started to walk towards the games.
"Midori!" Tsubaki called after her.
She shook her head and continued to walk. She didn't want to deal with all this chaos. I mean she could deal with it, but she didn't want to. "Let's see what I can find around here…" She walked around, stopping every now and then to play a game. She was aware of the fact that the boys were following part of the time, but she refused to look back and see which ones.
"Hey cutie lost?"
Midori glanced over seeing a man leaning against a tree. The man had gray hair and light blue eyes, wearing a violet robe like Kaname. A single earring was on his right ear. "No I'm not lost."
"Too bad I would love to have an excuse to show a beautiful girl like yourself around. What do you say to me at least treating your to something good?"
"Well I usually don't accept offers from strangers."
"Is that a no?" He leaned in a little closer. "Come on sweetheart, take a chance. I'm a man of Budda. I won't hurt you."
"Who said I thought you were going to hurt me?" Midori smiled. He was really charming and entertaining. "Alright fine, so what is good around here?"
"Come and follow me." He held out his hand to her.
"Sounds good." Midori took his hand and let him pull her along.
"So my beautiful angel, let's go find something that will be worthy of you."
Midori chuckled. "Okay." She followed him as they walked, but did spare a small glanced over her shoulder. She didn't see any of the boys. She sighed.
"What is wrong with you my dear? You shouldn't sound so concerned. It will give you frown lines."
"Oh nothing." Midori did feel a little disappointed that none of the boys were following them. She didn't know why she wanted one of those idiots following her, but she did.
"Ah , here we go." He stopped at a booth. "So my dear angel, what would you like? My treat."
"Thanks." Midori looked over the menu and spotted a chocolate filled Taiyaki. "Right there. Yes!"
"Very well. One chocolate Taiyaki and one normal Taiyaki." He held out a credit card.
"Very will Chiaki." The woman at the stand giggled.
"Mr popular, Chiaki?" Midori raised an eyebrow.
"That is my name my dear angel. And I only have eyes for you."
"Oh?" Midori smirked.
"Here you are." The woman handed over two pastry shaped desserts.
"Thank you." Chiaki smiled at her and then handed one to Midori and lead her away from the booth. "So why don't you tell me about yourself my dear?"
"Maybe." Midori took a bite and chuckled. He was kind of cute too.
"You've got a little something there." He leaned in towards her.
Hagn on. Everything seemed to slow down as Chiaki leaned in towards her. He's going to kiss me! I don't want that!
"Don't you dare!" A hand covered Chiaki's mouth.
"Back off perv!" Tsubaki shoved Chiaki away, while Yusuke pulled his hand away from Chiaki's face. "You okay Midori?"
"I…" Midori glanced away feeling some heat come to her face.
"What were you thinking kissing a girl like that?!" Yusuke yelled. "Especially Midori!"
Midori glanced up at Yusuke and smiled. This guy…. He's trying to defend my honor?
"Come now my friends. I'm just-."
"Shut up." Tsubaki crossed his arms. "And get out of here!"
"Midori is not going to go out with a scumball like you." Yusuke nodded. "She's got way more class than you. She's way better than you."
"Come on angel." Chiaki glanced past the boys. "Tell these two you would rather come spend time with me."
Midori glanced at him and then the two boys. She threaded her arms in theirs. "I think I would rather spend my time with these two. So go try your lines on another girl."
Chiaki frowned but turned around and walked off, grumbling something under his voice.
"Midori?" Tsubaki glanced down.
"Come on you two, let's go find Azusa and try our luck at some of these games. I want one of you to win me a fish."
Both boys laughed.
Hoshimi glanced around and sighed. All three of the kids had took off together. She knew they were safe since they were together, but she still wished they were in her sight. "Excuse me miss." Hoshimi walked up to an older woman. "Have you seen a pair of twins run by here. There was probably another kid with them."
"Sorry." The older woman shook her head.
"Thank you." Hoshimi sighed and continued walking. Maybe I should have had one of the boys watching them. She shook her head and glanced around some more.
"Are you looking for someone?" A voice asked.
Hoshimi looked over to see a man wearing a robe very similar to Kaname's. Only his robe was red. He had blond hair and hazel eyes, and a charming smile. "Yes, three kids, have you seen any? Twins and another boy."
"Not recently, but I'm happy to help if you need it."
"Thank you. I'm Hoshimi." She held out her hand.
"Ryuusei." He took her hand and lightly shook it. "Come on, I know my way around here."
"Thank you so much. It is hard keeping up with their energy."
"I bet." Ryuusei laughed. He glanced ahead. "But you know they are safe here. No need to worry so much."
"I know." Hoshimi chuckled. "I'm just still can't help myself. I'm a worrier."
Ryuusei chuckled and then stopped. "Maybe over there, I think I spotted some kids."
"Thank you." Hoshimi headed in the direction he had indicated and was a little surprised to find him following. "You don't have to help, I don't want to burden you."
Ryuusei gave her a million dollar smile. "It's not a burden for the number one monk."
Hoshimi flushed as he reached out and took her hand, then leaned in and kissed the back of her hand. "I…" Even as she flushed she felt the shivers coming. Memories of rough hands. Memories of angry eyes.
She was jerked out of the memories at the feeling of arms wrapping around her shoulders and soft lips on her cheek.
"Hello my dear Hoshimi. Thanks for finding her Ryuu."
"Kaname?" Ryuusei's eyes widened as he slipped her hand and took a step back.
"Kaname?" Hoshimi glanced over her shoulder to see Kaname's gentle smile. "What are you doing here?"
"Looking for you." Kaname stepped back, letting his arms fall from around her, though he did gently squeeze her hand as his hand passed hers. "How are you enjoying the festival?"
"It's nice." Hoshimi said, feeling like she sounded breathless. She hoped it was only to her ears.
"Kaname, you know Hoshimi?" Ryuusei asked.
"Yes, she's been staying with my family for a while." Kaname didn't stop smiling but he moved so he was almost right between Hoshimi and Ryuusei. Al he had to do was take a step forward and he would be blocking her view of the other monk.
"Well then I'll leave her in your capable hands." Ryuusei bowed. "It was nice meeting you Hoshimi." With that he turned and walked off.
"You okay?" Kaname asked once the other monk was gone. "You look a little pale."
"I'm fine thank you." Hoshimi reaches out and took his hand, squeezing it slightly. "Thank you so much Kaname."
He smiled and squeezed her hand back. "Hoshimi-."
"Mom look what I got!" Shin popped up between Hoshimi and Kaname holding a bag up. A single little orange colored fish puttered around in circles inside the bag. "I'm going to name him Kappi!"
Kaname let go of her hands and Hoshimi crouched down to be at eye level with her son. "Well hello Kappi, welcome to our family."
"So we can keep him?" Mai pokes her head out from behind her brother.
"Of course." Hoshimi laughed and looked up to see Kaname ruffling Wataru's hair as the little boy held up his own fish bag. "I think we might have to figure out a good place for him to live. What do you say we stop by the pet store on our way home?"
"Can I come?!" Wataru begged.
"Of course." Hoshimi stood up. "Now you three are in charge, you have to do your best to take care of the little guys."
"We will." The three chanted together.
Hoshimi and Kaname laughed together.